PaCkMaN's Corner

by , editor

The Louisville Bicycle Loop is only about a
quarter done but has already shown some of
the maintenance effort that will be needed.
Damage is coming from both natural and
human sources.

Ever since the River Walk portion from
downtown to Chickasaw Park was completed
over ten years ago, parts lying near the river
have flooded about twice a year, becoming
impassable for weeks at a time until the mud
is cleared. Even then, the mud film that
remains on the pavement is hazardous to
walkers and cyclists alike. Because walls of
mud build on each side of the pavement, that
film washes onto the pavement in those spots
with every rain. If possible, these sections
should be rerouted from the river bank itself
to adjacent higher ground, particularly as it
rounds Shawnee Golf Course.

The Mill Creek Bridge was constructed
specifically for pedestrians and cyclists, not
heavier vehicles. The ends were blocked in
the middle with steel posts to prevent 4-
wheeled vehicles from crossing. But within
weeks, vandals had removed the posts,
presumably to cross with ATVs which are
frequently used in the area. That left a rough
hazard in the middle of the path for cyclists.
This was reported by me to the city for repair.
It would only be a matter of time before some
crazy will try to take a full-size car or truck
across, bringing the bridge down. Something
in solid steel and perhaps a permanent bridge
divider may be needed to prevent recurrences.

Last December 11, an approximately 500-foot
stretch of new pavement on the Levee Trail
section south of Greenwood Road was
destroyed by a heavy truck. It might have
been a mystery were it not for a club member
(who wishes to remain anonymous) with a
cellphone camera who caught the miscreants
in the act. In this case it was not vandals per
se, but MSD workers taking a shortcut who
were not happy about being on candid camera.
It was reported in December and repaired in
mid-April. Although any bike path would
have been damaged by a truck that size on
rain-soaked ground, consideration should be
given to asphalt thicker than one inch,
particularly with no foundation, to prevent
rapid fraying, deterioration and inevitable
cracking and weed growth, at least up to River
Walk standards.